Wednesday
It was pub night.
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Through the heart… a flood of fears and tears
It has been over a year since the catastrophic flood devastated Lismore, my hometown in Northern NSW. However, the recovery of both people’s lives and infrastructure is still slow and ongoing. The emotional impact of the flood still runs deep, which I have observed in my own family and the lives of many others. These emotions were further highlighted in a photographic exhibition titled “Through the Heart… A Flood of Fears and Tears,” which recently opened at the NSW Parliament.
Local photographer Jacklyn Wagner captured the devastation caused by the worst recorded flood in the area’s history. She knocked on the doors of approximately 100 people who had little choice but to move back home, despite having no doors to knock on, walls, power, or water. The exhibition showcased the stories of these individuals, portraying the emotional and physical impact of the flood on their lives.
I had the opportunity to report for ABC Radio from the exhibition opening, where the photos were a poignant reminder of the devastating effects of what happened. The exhibition title, “Through the Heart… A Flood of Fears and Tears,” perfectly encapsulated the emotions captured in the photographs.
The slow recovery process in Lismore is evident from the photographs, but the resilience and courage of the people affected is also evident. The exhibition provided a platform to acknowledge the challenges faced by the community, yet it also highlighted their determination to move forward.
“Through the Heart… A Flood of Fears and Tears” exhibition is a powerful reminder of the devastating effects of the flood on the people of Lismore. It is also a testament to the resilience and determination of the community to recover and rebuild.
For me, it was kinda interesting/weird to be there in both a personal and professional sense. I was there as an active member of the community, and in support of my family. But also there as a reporter. I hope I got the balance right.
MaggioFest
I don’t know why exactly, but for the last few days I’ve found myself a little addicted to the music of Veronica Maggio. Almost exclusively, I’ve been listening to her albums, “Och vinnaren är…” and “Satan i gatan”.
She’s a Swedish pop/soul singer I first discovered in 2008 thanks to her song, “Måndagsbarn” (“Monday’s Child”). I loved the innocence of the video clip. I loved the clarity of her vocal. And I loved the fact that she sang in Swedish.
Even for domestic consumption, a lot of Swedish pop singers are singing almost exclusively in English these days which I think is a bit of a shame. I completely understand the desire for international success, but I think it’s a little sad that Swedish pop music in Swedish seems to be in decline. I know there’s lots of independent stuff in Swedish, but if you look at the charts, you’ll see what I mean. Interestingly, however, the Swedish language material sells very very well. In fact, it seems to outsell the Swedes who perform in English.
The next big musical revelation came when I discovered the song, “Inga problem” (“Not A Problem”), her collaboration with the Swedish hip-hop band, Snook.
Är det så här det känns att va lycklig?
Det är inga problem
Är det så här det känns att va lycklig?
Det är inga problem, det är inga problem
…which translates, roughly, as…
Is this how it feels to be happy?
It’s not a problem
Is this how it feels to be happy?
It’s not a problem, it’s not a problem
She also collaborated with one of the fathers of Swedish hip-hop, Petter, with the song, “Längesen” (“A Long Time Since/Ago”) which I love very much for both the melody and the lyrics.
The sweet lyrical refrain from Veronica this time is…
Varje gång är som den första gång vi sågs
Även om det är över nu
Allting har förändrats
Men du finns kvar
Allt var svävande men nu så ser ja klart
Roughly translated, she’s singing…
Every time is like the first time we met
Even if it is over now
Everything has changed
But you are left (behind)
Everything was suspended, but now I see clearly
And then earlier this year, she gave us a teaser of her latest album with a rather controversial video clip. Although we never see the faces properly, it’s clearly evident the clip features a much older woman in a long passionate kiss with a MUCH younger man. Dare I say, “boy”?
Anyway, I hope you like the clips and her songs. I think she’s fab.
Vikings, Podcasts, and Dancing Queen
“I was expecting a little more blood and gore, considering it was an exhibition about Vikings,” one of the tour participants remarked today.
It is an amusing observation, but the Viking exhibition currently running at the National Maritime Museum—titled Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard—focuses less on pillaging and the more fearsome stereotypes of the Norsemen, and much more on an extraordinary archaeological discovery.
Uncovered by metal detectorists in southwest Scotland in 2014 and buried around AD 900, the Galloway Hoard contains over five kilograms of silver, gold, and other precious materials. Rather than endless tales of battle, the exhibition highlights exquisite early medieval silverwork, jewellery, precious arm rings, and ancient heirlooms originating from Britain, Ireland, mainland Europe, and as far away as Central Asia.
That said, there are some fascinating modern touches woven through the displays, including a clever 3D-printed replica of a Viking vessel and other items. Because the hoard was so carefully interred, it also helped preserve incredibly rare organic materials like early silk and textiles, giving researchers a remarkably detailed look into the interconnected trade networks and artistry of the Viking Age.
Connecting Through the Physical Disability Council of New South Wales
I visited the museum as part of a group outing organised by the Physical Disability Council of New South Wales. Once a month, they coordinate social activities for people with physical disabilities, offering a wonderful space for connection and informal conversation.
We didn’t spend much time talking about our disabilities today; instead, we shared other facets of our lives. I met a woman working for a Sydney community radio station who produces her own podcast—a brilliant catalyst for a long chat about audio storytelling.
I also spent a lovely, extended time talking with a remarkable gentleman in his late seventies. Although his body is beginning to let him down and he now uses a walker, he possesses a vibrant life story. He grew up in South Africa and has an American-born wife, among many other tales. As we parted ways, he told me, “You’re a very calm person to talk to.” I walked away thinking, Yes, maybe I am. It was a genuinely lovely experience.
Podcasts, Surry Hills, and the Sydney Disability Expo
Over the past week, I have recorded a few more interesting interviews for my podcast, which I have written about separately and hope you will enjoy. I’ve also penned a story on the changing face of Surry Hills.
Over the weekend, I also attended the Sydney Disability Expo. It was lovely to catch up with a few familiar faces, including Darrell from Amputees NSW, the wonderful team from 2RPH, and Max from WheelEasy. One of the absolute highlights was watching some fantastic “ballroom dancing” performed by a combination of able-bodied and disabled dancers.
While much of the expo was dedicated to service providers in the disability sector—which doesn’t hold a huge amount of interest for me—the weekend did come with one notable frustration: public transport.
Sydney Olympic Park train station was closed, which struck me as a remarkably odd decision given a major disability expo was being held there. They did put on replacement buses, which worked fine for me since I can manage getting on and off buses, but anyone with a larger wheelchair or a bigger mobility scooter would have really struggled. The irony certainly wasn’t lost on me, especially since Sydney Trains even had a booth set up inside the expo.
Dancing Queen’s 50th Anniversary
This weekend, I am heading out to celebrate a massive cultural milestone: the official 50th-anniversary party for ABBA’s Dancing Queen.
The anniversary of the single’s release in Australia falls this week. Of course, it went on to become a colossal hit here before conquering the world. To mark the occasion, Universal Music and Polar Music (ABBA’s record company) are rolling out a series of fan activations globally. It promises to be a fantastic night out, and I am very much looking forward to it.
I am also doing a spot on ABC Radio discussing the 50-year legacy of Dancing Queen and how its reception has evolved over the decades. I will write more about all of this over the weekend.
Swedish Beer and Relaxation
I thought I was going to die the morning after the last time I drank starköl (strong beer). I had a fantastic time the night before at the now-closed, but legendary Stockholm disco, Lino. But the morning after I had the worst hang-over I’ve ever had in my life.
At this point, I should tell you Swedish beer comes in three standard strengths: the aforementioned starköl (strong), mellaöl (medium, pretty standard full strength beer in Australia) and lättöl (low alcohol) which is readily sold in supermarkets.
In contrast to supermarket sales, the sale of alcohol is heavily regulated in Sweden with a state-run bottleshop, Systembolaget. It is said the Swedes like a drink or two, and so the state has regulated alcohol sales with just one chain of shops and with heavily regulated opening hours.
I, too, am trying to regulate my alcohol intake on this trip. Shock! Horror! In contrast to my usual lushness, today was the first day on this trip that I’ve had any alcohol, and I decided to restrict myself to only two beers. But which to choose? As I wandered around Systembolaget late this afternoon I found myself spoiled for choice. In the end I settled on a beer called “7,2”. Like “Spray & Wipe”, “7,2” tells you exactly what you’re buying as that’s also the alcohol volume. The label goes on to tell me it was made with Malt & Corn, so it will be interesting to see how it tastes.
I think the couple I saw on the bus ealier may also have been to Systembolaget today. I can’t remember exactly what bus stop they got on at, but from the moment they were on the bus I was completely transfixed. In fact, I completely missed my own stop because I became so enthralled in what was going on.
They were an older couple. I heard him say he was 70 years old. They certainly both looked it, or maybe a little more. They also both reeked of booze. She also had a single cigarette in her hand, as she made her way onto the bus. Like Moses and The Red Sea, she cut a swathe through the commuters as she came on fag in hand and with an apparently much-needed walking frame. She plonked herself down next to a young woman, while he plonked himself down next to a young man, though far apart.
While the people they sat next to tried to remain oblivious to the drunken ramblings coming from their mouths, another young man who was standing close by began to engage the older man in a conversation. “Är du bra?” he asked at first. They chatted for a while, and I since it was a simple enough conversation (they spoke pretty slowly) I was able to listen in and follow most of what was said. It wasn’t that interesting, to be honest, but it was interesting enough for me to be able to follow, and to become completely distracted by it, and miss my stop altogether.
In addition to my bottle-shop visit, since arriving in my apartment yesterday, I’ve also done a bit of supermarket shopping. I’m lucky enough to be in the vicinity of three supermarkets, as well as a few nearby convenience stores. It was a bit of a struggle for a while as I tried to make sense of some of the different products, and then translate them into Australian dollars to work out if they were good value or not. The navel oranges I bought were an excellent price, whereas the mandarins I didn’t purchase were outrageously expensive. I also struggled a bit with the enormous variety of fruit juices, as I struggled to work out what all of the different names and varieties were. I was looking for some peppermint tea, but interestingly enough, it wasn’t to be found, and so I settled for a Strawberry and Raspberry infusion. But in the midst of it, I found some good things, including my favourite purchase which was a block of a really tasty, mild, creamy cheese called Carolineost. I’ve had it before on many occasions and it never fails to disappoint.
Hopefully I haven’t bored you with my shopping list, but for me it’s relatively important to settle down for a regularish routine, as I contemplate the next two months of travel.
Also, it’s Day 3 of this holiday and I’m yet to really relax. I’ve been a little tired and stressed (and pretty grumpy for a few months now, so I haven’t really chilled out yet. But the beautiful sunny days (though cold nights) are helping with the relaxation. Having a place to call “home” without the stress of moving has really helped. Hopefully the “holiday” will really kick in this weekend with Melodifestivalen. So apologies if you’ve been wishing and hoping for some amazing tales and excitement. I’m on the road for two months, and I’m sure they’ll eventuate. Who knows what will happen after I finish this starkol…
Eurovision / Melodifestivalen Moment #1: Loreen at Melodifestivalen
As it’s now exactly one month until the Eurovision Song Contest final, I thought I might start sharing each day some of my favourite moments from Eurovision and Melodifestivalen (the Swedish contest).
This is from Loreen from Sweden who won with Euphoria in 2012. Interestingly, the first Indigenous woman to win the contest (Berber from North Africa). The year afterwards, she performed her winning song at Sweden’s #melfest with a choir of students with a hearing disability.
It’s absolutely beautiful, and will bring a tear and absolutely joy to even the hardest heart. And I was there!!!!
Berlin Wall Anniversary
It’s the twentieth anniversary today of the fall of the Berlin Wall. I doubt there’ll be television specials except perhaps on the ABC or SBS, but I note there is a Beck’s Beer advertising campaign appearing on bus shelters around Sydney.
I’m not sure why, but I’ve always felt a bit of an affinity with Germany. I guess it has something to do with those childhood memories and learning German in high school. As I recalled about twelve months ago on this blog…
Twenty-six years ago, aged seventeen, I travelled to Germany (well, West Germany as it was then), with a group of school-mates and our teacher. I was in Year 12 and I’d been learning German for a number of years. Sometime a couple of years early, one of us had the idea of fund-raising for a trip to Germany, and so that’s just what we did. As well as the fund-raising, I also had a part-time job, and after two or three years, we had enough money to actually do it in May 1983. The memories of that trip remain incredibly vivid for most of my adult life. But particularly today, as I’ve walked around Berlin, many of those memories have come flooding back.
I remember the incredibly long overnight train trip from Frankfurt, being woken in the middle of the night for passport check (I couldn’t find mine for a moment), and then arriving in Berlin itself. I remember our day trip to East Berlin, and in particular, I remember going through one of the border points in Berlin (I remember it WASN’T Checkpoint Charlie), and going on a brief tour of East Berlin with an emphasis on galleries, museums and things like that. The East German tour guide was very proper, as I recall.
Later during our time in Berlin, I have an incredibly vivid memory of standing in the Tiergarten near Brandenberg Gate, where there were two guards goose-stepping their way around. Along with my two school-mates, Louise and Amanda, we waved at them, hoping for some response. Nothing. Nothing. And then finally, a very brief raised hand in response.
Travelling back to West Germany in the daylight hours, I also have a very vivid memory of seeing a school outside the train window, which declared with a huge sign that “The sun always shines in East Germany”.
Last year, I returned to Berlin and made the following observations…
A lot has changed in twenty five years, obviously. For a start, I’m staying in what was East Berlin. And so far, I’ve yet to wander over the border into what was West Berlin. From my perspective, it’s like visiting a whole new city, because in some ways it is. However, there are a few buildings I’ve recognised from that brief day-trip to East Germany. There’s been a wonderful sense of dejavu.
For a while the memories were a little overwhelming and I found myself a little overcome. “This is a total mindfuck”, I thought to myself at one point, reflecting on how different was the experience now. Not only because Berlin has changed dramatically, but also because I’m now seeing it through the eyes of a forty-two year old.
Interestingly enough, November 9 is an important day in German history. There’s a terrific article which discusses the significance of November 9 in German history, which I’d recommend.
